Tag Archives: Son of Sam law

Former Queens politician Emanuel Gold, who served in the New York State Senate from 1971-1998, passed away Thursday at the age of 77.

“His contribution to Queens and to New York itself was tremendous,” said Heskel Elias, a friend and previous client of Gold, who practiced law in Forest Hills. “He was liked on both sides of the aisle,” he added.

While representing District 13 in the State Senate, Gold served as deputy minority leader, and was voted into the State Assembly in a special election in 1970, a year before he was elected as a senator.

One of Gold’s most notable accomplishments as a politician was authoring New York’s “Son of Sam” law.

Named for New York City serial killer David Berkowitz, it prohibits convicted criminals from profiting from their crimes.

Services will be held at Parkside Memorial Chapels, 98-60 Queens Boulevard, Rego Park, on Sunday, January 27 at 12:45 p.m.